Americans for Prosperity Illinois continued its focus on fighting higher property taxes by joining with taxpayers to defeat 14 local referenda in Tuesday’s election that would have hiked taxes. AFP was active in 29 tax-related referenda throughout Illinois which sought to implement a new tax, raise an existing tax or issue municipal debt.

As part of its goal to alleviate the crushing property tax burden in the Land of Lincoln, Americans for Prosperity Illinois implemented its Local Anti Tax Initiative for the sixth time, targeting 29 referenda seeking to increase taxes or debt in counties and municipalities across Illinois. AFP Illinois partnered with local activists and groups across Illinois to execute grassroots phoning and door-to-door efforts, in addition to mail and paid phone campaigns to advocate for a “No” vote on tax and debt increases. AFP Illinois also urged a “Yes” vote on an advisory referendum asking voters in Will County’s Homer Township if they agreed with a property tax freeze – which they did, to the tune of 87%!

Out of control property taxes are driving families and businesses out of our state, while robbing Illinoisans of economic opportunity. Politicians in Springfield and communities across the state should take notice. Illinois taxpayers rightly believe they are overtaxed and politicians should stop continually asking them to bailout their profligate overspending. Taxpayers cannot afford to continual demands for more of their money, whether by their state government or their local taxing bodies.

Since the inception of our Local Anti-Tax Initiative in 2012, AFP-Illinois has focused on 186 tax-related referenda, including 133 new or increased sales taxes, and has gone on to defeat 104 – including $569 million in new debt.

Overall, 52 tax hikes around the state were defeated Tuesday, including $439 million in defeated bonds. But it never ends. Already, we are aware of several local governments planning tax-hike referenda for the Fall. If you know of a local government in your area considering placing a tax-related referenda on the November ballot, please reach out to us .